YouTube has announced a groundbreaking tool enabling record labels and music distributors to identify and remove songs featuring artificial intelligence-generated vocals imitating well-known artists. This move comes as a response to the surge in fake AI-generated music, a byproduct of recent advances in generative AI technology, which can create AI voices and scarily-accurate images.
The tool’s implementation follows incidents like the release of “Heart on My Sleeve,” a song with AI-generated vocals mimicking Drake and The Weeknd. Despite being removed from various streaming services, the song remains accessible on YouTube, highlighting the challenges platforms face with this new technology.
In an innovative approach, YouTube will start with a trial involving a select group of labels participating in early AI music experiments. The platform’s update also extends to its privacy complaint process, allowing people to report deepfakes, especially those mimicking identifiable individuals. However, YouTube clarified that not all content would be removed, and factors like the context of the content and its intent will be considered.
Furthermore, YouTube is mandating creators to disclose when their content includes manipulated or synthetic material, such as AI-generated videos or deepfakes. Creators who repeatedly ignore these guidelines risk having their content removed or their advertising revenue suspended.
This initiative reflects a broader industry trend towards transparency and ethical use of AI. Just last week, Meta announced similar measures for political advertisements on Facebook and Instagram, requiring advertisers to disclose AI usage.
These developments indicate a growing concern over the impact of deepfakes and AI-generated content on public trust and information integrity. The UK government recently highlighted these concerns, warning about deepfakes’ potential to erode public confidence in true information and civic processes. The spread of fake audio clips, like those of London Mayor Sadiq Khan, further underscores these challenges.
YouTube’s new AI guidelines, therefore, mark a significant step in addressing the ethical and practical issues posed by generative AI in the digital content landscape.
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